This Is Life With Derek

LWD S04-E21: The Space Case

Papers spewed across the McDonald-Venturi dining room table. Nora held her head in her hands as George frenziedly shuffled through a stack of his handwritten notes.

"Georgie, I don't see any way in which this will work." Tears formed in Nora's eyes.

Sensing an emotional outburst, George quickly covered her hand with his. "Nora, it will be fine. We'll just have Marti move to Lizzie's room and Lizzie move to Edwin's room and Edwin move to Casey's room and Casey move to Derek's room and Derek move-" George cut himself off, mumbling, "No, no. We can't move Derek." He shook himself from his thoughts and returned to fumbling with the papers in his hand with a renewed vigor, babbling to himself.

Nora tried cutting across his rambles, "George. George. GEORGE!"

Startled enough to stop talking, George studied her desperate face.

"George, honey, that's just moving everyone around while not accomplishing anything." A few tears leaked out of the corner of both her eyes.

Quick to cease any tears, George panicked, "Nora, now, Nora, no tears! We'll work this out." His words fell on deaf ears as Nora burst into sobs.

🎵 "It used to be my mother and my sister and me,

A happy little family, and alright with me.

Then Mom got married, that's when everything changed,

Some things were lost, and others were gained.

A new school, a new house,

So many changes make my head spin.

Now I've got a brother who gets under my skin.

This is life with Derek,

This is life with Derek,

This is life with Lizzie, Edwin, George and Nora, Marti and Casey.

Livin' life with Derek,

Livin' life with Derek!" 🎵

"When we first moved into the Venturi household, the only way to describe the unfolding events would be... utter chaos. So many personalities in such a tiny space was just asking for trouble. And of course, the biggest personality requires the most space, right? Derek. Who could ever forget, 'What Derek wants, Derek gets?' What were Mom and George thinking? How could we add yet another person into this overcrowded blended family nightmare of seven? Where's he or she going to sleep? The game closet? Ha, right, Derek would probably make them roll a dice for it!"

The front door slammed shut behind Nora. As she waddled through the living room, her head barely stuck out over the armful of baby items she was carrying.

Coming out of the kitchen, George stopped in his tracks at the sight of Nora. "Nora! You can't keep coming home with all of this stuff! We have nowhere to go with it all!"

"What am I supposed to do, George? We can't wait until the last minute to get what the baby needs!" Nora tried to fight the tears.

"Oh, Nora, come on. Don't cry. Please, don't cry." He brought her in for a comforting hug, but all he could do was pat her back around the towering packages.

A giggle escaped Nora as George tried to awkwardly console her. She pulled away with a small smile, "Now, help me carry these things downstairs."

"Downstairs? But,we already can't make it into our bedroom!"

Edwin, Lizzie, Marti and Casey lined the couch, waiting as Derek tucked himself into his recliner.

Casey glared over at him, "You good, now?"

Smirking back at her, he waved an arm through the air. "Wonderful. You may begin."

George called their attention back to himself and Nora, who stood in front of the television, by calling, "Kids..."

Nora shifted slightly, "So you see, you may have figured out, we have a slight problem ahead of us."

The kids looked between each other before Lizzie asked, her voice full of concern, "What is it, Mom?"

Trying to smile encouragingly, Nora looked to George.

Clearing his throat, George continued for her, "We have to figure out where the baby's room is going to be."

The immediate response came from Derek, "In the basement, with you."

"George and I already discussed that Derek. There simply isn't room."

Narrowing her eyes at him, Casey added, "Babies shouldn't be kept in the basement, Derek."

He bit back at her, "I thought that was only for princesses."

George cut in before Casey could reply, "There's really only one option here. Two of you are going to have to share a room."

His words hit the room like a bomb as everyone spoke at once.

"Absolutely not!" (Casey)

"Oh, you're kidding!" (Edwin)

"No way!" (Lizzie)

"I refuse!" (Marti)

"When hell freezes over!"

"DEREK! LANGUAGE!" George warned his son, but it had no effect on the room as everyone continued ranting simultaneously.

"I cannot share a room with anyone! I need to study for college!"

"I won't share! I get enough unfair treatment being a middle child!"

"I already share a room! With Daphne! And we're cramped now!"

"You can't expect me to share a room with girls! Or worse, Derek!"

"You can't expect me to share a room with anyone."

George yelled across the din, "Enough! ENOUGH!"

Nora crossed her arms over her chest, her forearms resting against her huge belly. "Now, I don't want to hear another peep out of anyone." Casey opened her mouth to protest, but Nora punctuated, "An-y-one!" Casey's jaw snapped shut.

Looking over each of their children with a wild look in her eye, Nora successfully kept them from interrupting her. "All of you listen, George and I have discussed this quite thoroughly and we're all going to handle this matter very maturely."

"That's right." George nodded his support. "We have decided that you will each present Nora and I with your case. Explaining with detail why you should or shouldn't be the one to keep your room."

The kids visibly relaxed, each confident in their own ability to talk their way out of sharing a room.

However, George continued, "BUT, then you must present a plausible solution to this problem. Understand?"

Reluctantly, everyone nodded.

Casey reviewed some of her notes, while drinking a glass of juice at the kitchen island. She was drawn out of her studies as Derek bounded into the room.

"So, Space Case, how are you going to present your space case to Dad and Nora?"

"Gee, Der, funny. But, also, very strategic and to the point."

He quirked an eyebrow at her. "Meaning?"

"I don't think so. I won't be tricked into telling you my case so you can block all my reasons." She poured the rest of her drink down the drain and slammed the empty glass down on the counter. Giving him a smirk, she snatched up her notebook and left the kitchen.

Derek snapped his fingers and muttered under his breath, "Damn!"

Calling Edwin into his room, Derek shut the door behind him. "Look, Ed, I need you to do some digging."

"Forget it, D. This is serious. We're talking our own rooms. Every man for himself!"

Derek eyed his brother sternly. "What did you say to me?"

Edwin melted where he stood, "Um, got to go?" In a flash, he had slipped out of Derek's door and slammed it shut behind him.

Muttering under his breath, Derek asked himself, "What is going on around here?"

As the clan sat down to dinner, the feel of competition was thick in the air. Leaning towards her dad, Marti asked, "Daddy, can you please pass Daphne the potatoes?"

George looked at his daughter and then around the table. He reached for the potatoes and held them in front of him. "Sure, Marti. Where exactly is Daphne?"

Marti sighed, indicating the space between them. "Daddy, she's sitting right next to me!"

"Oh, of course." Shaking his head a little, George sat the potatoes down next to Marti.

"She almost never leaves my side. You know, because we share a room and everything."

Nora arched an eyebrow as George gave her an amused smile.

Choking on a chuckle, Derek coughed lightly into his hand. Marti was his little sister, after all.

"Excuse me, but-" Edwin cut in, "have I mentioned lately all the gas I pass? Especially at night?"

Around the table, forks dropped in unison. "EDWIN!"

Derek grinned as he finished chewing, "At least you don't snore like Casey."

"Der-rek! I do not snore!"

"That walls are thin, Space Case!" He imitated snoring sounds, smirking at her.

Suddenly, Casey smiled smugly at him. "Well then, Derek, if you say I snore, then I wouldn't want to inconvenience anyone. You know, by keeping them up all night. Guess I won't be able to share a room with anyone."

The grin fell from Derek's face, leaving his mouth open.

Lizzie all but shouted, "I talk in my sleep!"

Finding a vantage point, Derek piped in again, "Then you and Casey can keep each other up all night. Perfect, no need to inconvenience anyone else." He shot a wink at Casey.

The two sisters looked at each other, silently communicating the best way to argue. Casey gave Lizzie a barely noticeable nod and Lizzie turned to the rest of the table calmly, "That would mean two people wouldn't be sleeping." She looked at Casey, passing it onto her.

"Therefore, it should be Derek and Edwin sharing a room. They both stink so it shouldn't be a problem." She tossed her ponytail over her shoulder as she stared Derek down.

"Hey!" Both Derek and Edwin shouted as Marti giggled at them all.

Derek argued, "Make Edwin and Lizzie share. They're practically besties."

"Gross!" Lizzie cried, "I won't share a room with Stinky!"

Vouching for her sister, Casey added, "She shouldn't have to share with Edwin just because you won't!"

Edwin pouted, "Hey, I take offense in there somewhere!"

Smiling in apology, Casey looked to Edwin, "Sorry, Ed."

"Ha!" Derek laughed. "Then Edwin and Casey can share! Stinky and 'Snorey!' What a match!"

"No way! I'm not sharing with Casey and all her girly-ness!"

Casey shot him a scowl. "Better girly-ness than grossness!"

Marti giggled again, "I know! I know!"

Nora looked at Marti, who was practically jumping out of her seat. "What's that, Sweetie?"

"The best couple-" Marti started as she importantly folded her hands together, "would be Smerek and Casey!"

Derek spat out his drink as Casey choked on her food. Everyone else sat in stunned silence. Nora was the first to recover, "Marti, honey, I don't think that's a good idea."

Frowning, Marti considered her. "Why not?"

Cautiously, George danced around for words. "Well, Marti, because we don't want the house to burn down." He cracked a smile and Marti giggled. It successfully broke the tension around the table as everyone joined in with her laughter.

Edwin snorted through his chuckles. "You know though, it's not that bad of an idea." The others looked at him strangely, but he kept laughing. "I meant as long as the house could stay standing that is. I'm just saying it would be great for the rest of us since they're the ones that create all the drama around here. If they share a room, they'd be out of our way!"

Finally understanding, everyone laughed except Derek and Casey, who both sat glowering. Derek held his hands up as if he could stop their thoughts, "No! No, absolutely not. Don't even think about it. That's not even funny!"

Shaking her head, eyes wide in disbelief, Casey couldn't find words to express her horrification.

George and Nora considered each other before George smiled at everyone. "Well, then you all have until after dinner tomorrow to prepare your cases."

Nora added, "We'll start with Marti and go through up to Derek. Got it, everyone?" They nodded, exchanging eye contact as they sized up their competition.

Marti sat as straight as she could, swinging her dangling legs from the chair George and Nora had placed in front of their basement bed.

Inclining his head to her, George asked, "Marti, do you have an opening statement?"

"Yes, Daddy."

"Whenever you're ready then."

Marti gripped Sir Monks A Lot closer to her chest. "Okay, first my room is really, really, really crowded! Daphne and I can barely fit in there with all my animals." She pointed at her monkey. "Sir Monks A Lot agrees with me. He doesn't have enough room to do things. Same with my bear and my rabbit and my unicorn and my giraffe and my lizard and my tiger and my-"

Nora cut in, "Yes, honey, we know you have a lot of animals."

"Exactly! There's no room for anybody else!"

Nodding at his daughter, George asked, "Is there any other reasons why you shouldn't be the one to share a room?"

Smiling sweetly, Marti looked up at her dad, "Yes, Daddy."

Winning him over, George smiled, "What is it, sweetheart?"

"I'm the youngest and clearly the favorite."

George and Nora eyed each other, trying not to smile.

Patting her stomach, Nora consoled the young girl, "Well, Marti, you won't be the youngest for much longer."

Marti's smile drooped and she looked up at them through her eyelashes. "Then the least you could do is let me keep my own room."

Pacifying her, George responded with, "Alright, Marti, you make some good points." Nora hid a chuckle behind her hand.

Beaming, Marti suddenly turned serious. "Good, then I want to talk about what we're going to do to get Daphne her own room."

Laughter leaked out of both George and Nora. Giggling, Nora cried, "Oh, Marti! What are we going to do with you?"

George spoke to a confused looking Marti, "Right, Marti, so now I want to hear what your solution to this whole mess is."

"That's easy, Daddy. It's like what I said earlier, Smerek and Casey can share."

As Marti danced out of George and Nora's room, Lizzie walked confidently in and seated herself in front of them.

Nora smiled in welcome and Lizzie returned it calmly. George nodded at her, "Lizzie, thank you for your promptness."

Folding her hands professionally in her lap, a semi-smirk crossed Lizzie's face, "Of course, George. Or should I say Mr. Venturi?"

Chuckling, George conceded, "George is fine." He grew serious, "Do you have any opening statements, Lizzie?"

She nodded solemnly, "I would like to say that my stance comes from my role as a middle child in this blended family. A middle child, who has been subjected to unfairness after unfairness. As I have made known before, the demands of the middle children in this household far exceed the demands placed on either of the eldest children or on the youngest. We already do most of the work, enlist the most time and effort, but get the least out of it. We pick up everyone's slack, usually without compensation. Also, being expected to cancel plans for the sake of our siblings or our parents' plans with no consideration as to how it affects us. Is it not enough, what we put forth without benefit? Must we have our own private rooms taken from us as well?" Out of breath, Lizzie took a deep breath.

"Very well done, Lizzie." Nora congratulated her daughter.

George nodded proudly, "That was a great opening statement. Now, what do you propose as a solution?"

Shifting slightly in her chair, Lizzie seemed uncomfortable for the first time since she entered the room. "I don't think it's fair to Edwin, Marti or myself to be forced into sharing a room with each other."

George stood from the bed in order to pace. "And your reasoning?"

"Casey and Derek leave for college soon and they won't be here much, will they?" Lizzie didn't wait for an answer. "One of them should share with someone else. The three of us plus the baby will be the ones living here. We should be able to have our own rooms at least during the school year."

Nora smiled in understanding. George nodded, "And how do you propose we do that?"

Lizzie shifted in her chair again. "Is this strictly confidential?

Studying each other for a split second, George and Nora nodded.

"Okay, then." Lizzie sighed, steeling herself. "As I said in my opening statement, I think we middle kids have suffered enough. Therefore, I propose that since Casey and Derek are moving off to college in the fall..." Lizzie winced. "that Casey should share Marti's room with her when she's home."

After Lizzie was dismissed, she ran into Edwin coming down the stairs. She stopped in order to eye him up and down. "Wow, look at you!"

"Is that good or bad?" Edwin stopped, quickly trying to straighten his jacket.

"That remains to be seen. Wow, Ed, do you really think the suit and briefcase are necessary?"

"Hey! This is proper attire for a business meeting!"

Lizzie rolled her eyes at her stepbrother. "Sure, whatever you say, Ed."

"So, how did your case go?"

"Pretty good, I think. I guess, we'll see." She shrugged it off.

"What route did you argue?"

"Middle child suffrage."

"Solid, very solid. I touch on that too."

Nodding, Lizzie went for a fist bump. "Good luck, bro."

Bumping her fist back, he checked his watch. "I better hurry."

Rapping his knuckles on the doorframe, Edwin stepped inside the room with his briefcase. Both George and Nora had to stifle their laughter. Fighting to regain his professional tone, George invited Edwin in, "Come in, Mr. Venturi."

"Thank you, Mr. Venturi."

Nora nodded at the chair facing them, "Please, take a seat, Edwin."

"Thank you, ma'am." Edwin extended a hand to shake before he settled into the chair. He sat the briefcase down in his lap and opened it to take out a couple of thick packets. Snapping the lid shut, he leaned forward to give a packet to each George and Nora.

Grasping the document, George started, "Very well, Mr. Venturi, do you have an opening statement?"

"Yes, indeed, sir." Edwin indicated the packet. "If you flip to page three, you can follow along with my research. As you can see, I have enclosed a copy of the current chores calendar. A system developed to keep chores of the household equally distributed among the members of the McDonald-Venturi household. At first glance the system looks unflawed. As it should, each chore is carefully assigned and scheduled. However, if you flip to page four, you will see the previous month's calendar. I would like to point out the red markings in each day's box. Red markings that were carefully kept by two particular members of this house. Members with a special interest in the matter. Can anyone tell me what the red markings indicate?"

Nora winced. "Is it who actually did the chores that day?"

"Correct, ma'am. A flawed system, it is. No one follows it. People begging out last minute, forgetting their turn, asking for someone to cover for them, parents asking middle kids for favors..." He trailed off, giving each of them a sharp look. "To illustrate my point further, I have included a whole year's worth of chore calendars to be read in your leisure time."

Edwin readjusted slightly as he changed tactics. "Now then, if you turn to page sixteen, I have provided a graph of each McDonald and Venturi child's weekly allowance, also showing monthly totals as well as yearly totals. Now, please turn to page nineteen. Here, you can see a chart showing the direct proportion of chores done to allowance earned." Edwin clicked his tongue at George and Nora's winces. "Not a pretty picture, is it?"

Not waiting, Edwin, continued, "You can read more detail on the following pages at a later time. Moving on, if you would be so kind as to turn to page twenty-five. As you have no doubt figured out, these are the blueprints of the house. The main floor has no area for a designated bedroom so we'll move on ahead to page twenty-six. The second floor has four bedrooms as you are aware. From my calculations, Casey's current room is the largest, just slightly bigger than Derek's. Then followed by Lizzie's and finally Marti's, weighing in at the smallest. Flipping the page, you will see my attic bedroom. I have highlighted actual living space separate from the designated storage space. A drastic difference, you can see. Comparatively, making my room roughly the same size as Marti's.

He nodded to himself, confirming his words. "Please, flip the page to the basement blueprint. I have sketched in the remodel job with the small entertainment room as you enter the basement and then this-" Edwin indicated the room they sat in, "closed in bedroom. According to my calculations, this bedroom is roughly the same size as Derek's room plus the added benefit of the entertainment area. The said entertainment area currently goes unused by all except the downstairs bedroom residents." He inclined his head between George and Nora and they nodded their agreement.

Nora's eyes widened, "I must say, Edwin, you have exceptional data and research." George hummed in approval as he continued to study Edwin's charts.

"Thank you, ma'am."

"Do you have any more information to add, Mr. Venturi?"

"No, sir. I am ready for closing arguments."

George stood, "Very well, Mr. Venturi, what do you propose as a solution to our issue at hand?"

Bowing his head, Edwin collected himself. "After analyzing the data, I have the following solution to present. You can follow along on page thirty."

His father inclined his chin towards him, "Proceed, Mr. Venturi."

"It is my theory that there are two possible options. The first being that the two least work producing residents share the largest room, while the top three workers receive their own rooms with adjustments in allowance for room size."

"And the second option, Mr. Venturi?"

"The second option being that if either of the top workers are forced into sharing a room, there would be a major compensation in pay." He looked sternly between the two parents.

Sitting back down on the bed, George dismissed him, "Thank you, Mr. Venturi. We will take your research and proposed solutions in to account and get back to you."

"Thank you, both." Edwin stood and briskly shook their hands again before turning on his heel and striding out.

Meeting Casey outside the door, Edwin studied her as she nervously wrung her hands. She jumped as he closed the door behind him. Eyeing her competitively, Edwin tipped an imaginary hat to her, "Miss McDonald." He turned to march confidently up the stairs as Casey continued to eye his suit and briefcase.

With a deep breath, Casey rapped lightly on the door. She opened it when she heard her mom call, "Come in, Miss Case."

Casey took a few steps inside, "Hello, Mom, George."

George smiled and indicated the chair. "Casey, please, sit." She sat, crossing her legs politely and trying to still her wringing hands. Clearing his throat, George continued, "Alright, let's get started. Do you have any opening statements?"

Gathering her thoughts and courage, Casey nodded. "I don't want to beat around the bush so I'm going to say it straight out." She took a deep breath before spitting, "I think it has to be me that makes the sacrifice." Casey maintained eye contact with her mom, "I'll give up my room for the baby."

Tears gathered in Nora's eyes and she leaned forward to embrace her eldest daughter. Casey's own eyes welled with unshed tears. When Nora pulled back, she dabbed at her eyes.

Coughing, George added awkwardly around the tears, "That's very nice of you, Casey."

Agreeing, Nora nodded, "You've been so understanding, Casey." She patted her belly, "Now, with the upcoming arrival of your baby sibling and before with the whole move to London."

Blushing, Casey kept her head down.

George turned the conversation back to the intended topic. "So who do you think you should share a room with, Casey?"

"I was thinking Lizzie. I mean, we are sisters and we've shared plenty of things in the past without problem." Casey sighed. "It's not like I'll be around all the much during college. She'll have it to herself most of the time."

Both George and Nora nodded and thanked her again.

Standing, George ushered her towards the door. "You can send Derek in now."

Closing George and Nora's door quietly, Casey composed herself. As she turned to make her way up the stairs, she ran into Derek leaning casually against the basement wall. His hands were shoved deep into his pockets, displaying his belt buckle proudly.

"Lose your space case, Space Case?"

"Clever, Derek, but didn't you already use that one?"

"Just as good the second time, Spacey." He grinned arrogantly, "So? How'd it go?"

Flipping her curls over her shoulder, Casey huffed. "Wouldn't you like to know?"

Derek rolled his eyes dramatically. "That's kind of the point of asking, isn't it? No worries, I can imagine your case was nowhere near the level of mine."

She rolled her eyes back at him. "Whatever." Casey started towards the stairs again, but Derek's hand shot out to catch her by the elbow.

He grinned haughtily, his voice gruff as she turned to face him. "Remember Case, what Derek wants, Derek gets."

Holding eye contact for a moment, Casey ripped her arm from his grasp and marched up the stairs. She called over her shoulder, "I'm surprised you didn't pay Edwin to speak for you."

Derek swaggered into George and Nora's bedroom, calling out sarcastically, "Knock, knock."

George acknowledged him lightly, "Sit down, Derek." Derek settled into the chair with practiced ease and looked at them expectantly. George regarded him. "Derek, do you have any opening statements?"

Crossing his arms over his chest, Derek smirked. "Just one. I'm not being forced out of my room."

"And your reasoning?"

"Easy. It's mine."

"I don't recall you paying for it."

"It's still my room."

"Before you were born, it was my room."

"Then you realized how incomplete you were without me and hello here I am with my own room and everything."

Shaking his head, George inquired, "Then what's your solution?"

Derek shrugged indifferently, "Make the girls share."

"Who's room?" Nora asked him.

"Don't care. Just pick one to put the baby in."

Both George and Nora shook their heads. George stood up abruptly, "Alright, Derek, you may go.

He got up from the chair, dramatically rolling his eyes for his father's benefit.

Dropping heavily into his chair, Derek joined the rest of the lineup of McDonald-Venturi children seated on the couch. The group did not have to wait long before they heard George and Nora ascending the stairs.

George took his place in front of the television, placing his hands on his hips. "Alright, you lot. I'll admit you made nice cases. You gave us a lot to think about."

Joining him, Nora clasped her hands over her baby bump. "George and I have decided to sleep on it and announce our decision tomorrow night." She rubbed her belly absentmindedly. "So for now, I'm headed to bed. Goodnight, everyone."

Adding a "Night, kids." George joined Nora heading back down the stairs.

Edwin watched them disappear before he cried, "What a load of bull!"

Crossing her arms across her chest, Lizzie added, "I'll say. Now we have to wait to hear who's getting kicked out of their own room!"

As she crawled out from between Lizzie and Casey, Marti huffed, "I have to go tell Daphne the news." Her tiny body marched angrily up the stairs.

Frowning in confusion, Lizzie turned to Edwin to ask, "Why didn't Daphne come to the meeting?"

"Who knows what goes on in that head of hers." Edwin stood, pulling Lizzie up with him. "Come on, I want to show you some of the research I used."

Lizzie cast a look at her sister as she passed. "Night, Casey." Then she rapped lightly on Derek's leg, "Night, Derek."

Calling from the stairs, "Night!" Edwin waited for Lizzie.

Derek nodded at them as Casey returned a soft, "Goodnight."

Observing Casey sit quietly to herself, Derek finally reached through the space between them to swat at her arm. "What gives?" Casey shook her head, saying nothing. He rolled his eyes, "What? Worried you lost your case, Case?"

She somewhat unfolded her concaving body, "No, I'm upset because I'm pretty sure I won."

Derek's brows furrowed tightly before realization hit him. "Don't tell me, you did the noble thing."

Her eyes snapped to his, "What do you mean?"

"You gave up your room for the baby."

"How could you possibly know that?"

"Face it, Spacey. I know you all too well."

Casey glared at him. "Shut up, Derek."

Once again, the family gathered in the living room, waiting for George and Nora to announce their decision. Finally, Nora waddled into the living room and took a seat in the chair by the front door, kicking her tired feet out in front of her.

George joined them a minute later, still wiping his hands on the dishtowel. He stood next to Nora and she reached up to take ahold of his hand. Throwing the towel over his shoulder, George cleared his throat. "Alright, everyone, it's time to tell you what we've decided to do."

Leaning forward as far as she could, Nora continued for him, "Although you all presented interesting cases, one particular stood out for us." Tears welled in her eyes. "Miss Case has graciously offered up her room for the baby."

Everyone except Derek whipped to face Casey, surprise equally written on all their faces. Casey managed a sad smile.

"So we decided," George went on, "that since Casey will be moving to college soon, she can store her things downstairs and when she's home she can share Marti's room." Edwin and Lizzie exchanged looks of ecstasy.

"WHAT?" Marti cried, jumping off the couch. "But, Daddy!"

"No buts, Marti."

Marti stomped her foot. "Remember, Daddy? Everything I said? I can't share a room!"

Shushing her, Nora explained, "It'll be okay, Marti. Casey won't be here during the year and when she comes home, she won't have as many things." At Nora's words, Casey teared up.

Sitting back down, Marti crossed her arms and pouted.

George clasped his hands together, "Well, that's all we had to say. I'm taking Nora down to bed now. Goodnight, all."

He helped Nora out of her chair and she smiled sleepily, "Night, kids."

After they passed through the dining room and kitchen, Edwin and Lizzie jumped up and danced around the living room.

Laughing, Edwin cried, "It worked! My research worked!"

"Nice going, Ed!" Lizzie gave him a high-five.

Derek rolled his eyes at their antics. "What are you talking about? Casey offered her room up. It's not like you convinced Dad and Nora."

Edwin grinned at his brother. "Only partly true, bro."

"If I know my sister, she offered to share a room with me." Lizzie looked to Casey for confirmation to which Casey nodded.

Leaping up again, Marti stomped to the stairs, mumbling under her breath the whole way. Everyone winced as her door slammed.

Recovering, Lizzie smiled lightly. "No offence, Case, but I really don't want to share a room again."

Even though tears welled up in Casey's eyes she answered softly, "I understand, Liz."

Bailing out of his chair, Derek hastily retreated to the kitchen. "Well, I've got things to do. Later, losers."

Derek rapped smartly on George and Nora's bedroom door. A confused George called, "Come in."

Opening the door, Derek strutted in, holding his hands out in front of him. "Alright, don't make a big deal out of this."

"Derek! George cried, "What did you do now?"

"Nothing! Look, you need to be upstairs with the baby and I need peace and quiet so you move up and I'll move down." Both George and Nora sat in stunned silence so Derek rolled his eyes and pretended to look around. "Yeah, my stereo will fit nicely over there." He walked around for a little longer, waiting for someone to say something. When that didn't happen, he prompted, pretending to knock on his dad's head. "Hello? Anybody in there?"

George waved the hand away. "You mean it, D?"

"Would I say it if I didn't?"

"True."

Nora studied him cautiously, "Why, Derek?"

He shrugged nonchalantly. "Casey offered up your old room so take it back. Give the baby mine. It's simple."

Derek cringed as Nora's eyes became misty. "Oh, Derek, that is so sweet of you." He dodged her outstretched arm and backed away, but Nora followed him, latching on tightly to hug him.

Considering his son, George asked, "And you're sure you'll be able to follow through with this?"

"Sure." Derek hesitated for a brief second. "And there's no reason to shove Klutzilla on Smarti. We can co-habitat down here."

Both George and Nora gasped quietly.

Exaggeratedly rolling his eyes, Derek remarked, "I didn't announce the end of the world."

"It sure sounded like you did. At least, it'll be the end of our house with the two of you down here!" George cried, studying his son.

Hand on the doorknob, he gave them an arrogant smirk. "No promises."

As Edwin pulled out his chair at the dinner table, he asked, "So, what's the big announcement?"

Nora unfolded her napkin carefully. "Well, we wanted to let you know that there's been a change in room plans."

In excitement, Marti dropped her fork. "Really? I don't have to share my room anymore?"

"That's right, sweetie."

Casey's brows furrowed as she studied her mother. "What do you mean, Mom?"

Clearing his throat, George answered her. "We've decided that Nora and I are going to take our old room back."

Lizzie frowned. "What about the baby?"

Shooting a quick look at Derek, George stated clearly, "The baby will have Derek's room." There was a collective gasp around the table, expect Derek, who kept chewing calmly.

Stunned, Edwin shouted, "Bro! You're okay with this?"

"What Derek wants, Derek gets." Derek replied around a mouthful of food. The others stared at him, mouths hanging open.

Being the first to recover, Lizzie clarified, "You mean, you wanted to give up your room?"

"I'm moving out so why not?" Taking another huge bite, Derek chewed with his mouth open.

After cringing at the food falling out of Derek's mouth, Casey asked, "What do you mean, Marti won't be sharing a room anymore?"

"Well, honey," Nora began, "Last night, Derek pointed out that it didn't make sense to inconvenience anyone since the both of you are moving out for college soon."

George took over, "So, Derek assured us that the two of you can share the basement without incident, right, Derek?"

Smirking around his fork, Derek laughed. "Right!"

Silence settled over the room. Casey stared openly at Derek, her mouth hanging open. Finally, Casey bit, punctuating every word, "I. Have. To. Share. With. Him?"

Derek swallowed dramatically in order to give her an arrogant smirk. "You're welcome."

Everyone looked between the two, waiting for an explosion, but were only greeted with silence. Casey seemed too stunned to say anything more and Derek continued to gobble his supper. Finishing the food on his plate, Derek reached to refill it as everyone watched him. Pausing mid-scoop, Derek looked around the table, "What?"

It was late that night when Casey walked into the kitchen to fix herself a cup of tea. Unsurprisingly, the light was already on as Derek rummaged through the fridge.

Rolling her eyes, Casey asked his back, "Didn't you eat enough at dinner?"

He straightened up, arms full of containers and shot her a grin. "I always have room for more." After depositing the food on the counter, he went to work fixing a heaping plate of leftovers.

Casey shook her head as she filled a mug with water and stuck it in the microwave. She pushed a few buttons then turned to watch Derek as she waited. Derek took a huge bite, causing food to dribble down his chin. "Der-rek! Use a napkin." Casey crossed the kitchen, opened a drawer and drew out a stack of napkins.

"Quiet, Case! You wanna wake the whole house?" He accepted a napkin, smearing grease all over it before he threw it at her.

"Gross, Derek!"

With an eyeroll, Derek asked, "What are you doing up? Isn't it passed the Princess's bedtime?"

"I couldn't sleep." The microwave beeped and Casey went to tend to her tea. "So, I thought I'd make some tea."

"Wow," Derek drawled, "That's so interesting."

"Well then, Mr. Fascinating, why are you up?"

He indicated his plate. "Hungry."

"Of course, how silly of me to even ask."

"I thought so, Space Case."

The nickname stopped Casey. She looked Derek over, who was still devouring his food. Quietly, she asked, "Why did you do it?"

Opening his mouth around the food, Derek questioned, "What?"

"Give up your room."

Derek rolled his eyes, "I do the right thing and you question my motives?"

"I'm just trying to understand, Derek."

"I gave it up, so what?"

"I thought you and your room had been through so much together."

"You're quoting my fifteen-year-old self. Things change."

Casey raised an eyebrow, "You've always been so protective of your room and suddenly you just offer it up for the baby?"

He leaned on the counter, pausing to chew as he considered her. "It's like I said, Case. I'm not going to be here much anymore." Derek shrugged nonchalantly. "I'm pretty much done with it, so might as well let the baby have it."

"I must say, Derek, I'm impressed."

"Yeah, yeah, noble Derek, I know."

She snorted, "I just don't understand why you told them you'd share a room with me."

Derek rolled his eyes sarcastically, "I just couldn't bear the thought of us being two whole floors apart."

"Of course, we wouldn't want that." Casey shook her head exasperatedly. "Even though I still hate basements with every fiber of my being. It was probably the best solution."

He cocked an eyebrow at her as he mocked, "Oh, the Princess finally thinks she can handle the dark scary basement?" As she shoved his shoulder, he laughed. "I get it, it's only because you'll have a strong handsome knight to save you from trouble, right?" Derek smirked arrogantly at her.

Casey pretended to look around the kitchen. "Does a knight live here? Hmm, somehow, I've managed to miss him after all these years! Let me know if you see him, yeah? So, we can be introduced, of course."

Snorting, Derek finally set down his empty plate. With a charming grin, he held a hand out to her. "At your service, Princess."

She slapped his hand away, laughing. "A knight? I thought you were the court jester!"

Derek winked at her, "Nah, that's Edwin."